Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write in the HISTORICAL genre (05/03/07)
-
TITLE: The Historical Perspective | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
05/07/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The primary prerequisite is the filling of God the Holy Spirit. Without the filling of God the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish nothing (John 15: 5) in the spiritual realm.
All born again believers are forever indwelled by God the Holy Spirit (1Cor.3: 16), but to be under His control, one must be in fellowship through the confession of all known sins (1John 1: 9) that resulted in a breach of fellowship (not loss of salvation). When in fellowship, we must also voluntarily submit to His leading (James 4: 7).
We will examine the historical factor shortly, but for the record, the other two (human) components for effective Bible study are (#1) isagogics (studying the Bible in light of the languages of the original transcripts) and (#2) comparing all passages of Scripture that address any given issue. Overlooking any one of the three is likely to result in erroneous interpretations, false doctrines, and misguided agendas.
Regarding the historical perspective, it must be remembered that ALL of Scripture (2Tim.3: 16) was written FOR us, but not necessarily TO us. It is important to be able to discern what passages apply exclusively to past or future dispensations, and what passages apply to the dispensation of the Church Age. A dispensation is a specific period of time in which certain principles exclusively apply.
For example, there will be an earthly kingdom in which the Lord Jesus Christ will rule from Jerusalem during the Millennial dispensation, but premature attempts to establish a foothold in the Holy Land has been the source of both ancient and modern day conflicts.
The Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent will establish his earthly kingdom. However, He will not be coming to a world that has been “prepared” for His coming.
The Bible is clear that the final years preceding the Second Advent will be the worst years to be alive in human history. Prophecy teaches that during this Tribulation period, the true Church will have been raptured, and will not even be here on Earth, let alone being entangled with global politics.
More people have been persecuted, tortured, murdered and killed in warfare in the name of religion than by any single dictator in human history.
Tithing was an Old Testament regulation that was imposed in order to support the priesthood and to supply the means for various temple sacrifices. The regulation and what it produced had been an essential part of the worship rituals in the Temple of God, but have no place in the New Testament Church at all.
Since what that system foreshadowed has been completely fulfilled by the Person and Works of the Lord Jesus Christ, that form of worship, the sacrificial priesthood, and the Temple rituals are no longer valid and neither is its former means of support (tithing).
New Testament passages (Gal 6:6) make it clear that those who teach the Word should be supported by those who receive it, but giving such support should be on a voluntary and willing basis, not under ANY form of intimidation or compulsion (2Cor.9: 7), such as tithing.
How much of one’s treasure is given to God and the things of God tells much about where any one of us are in our relationship with the Lord (Matt.6: 21). The truth is that many who claim to be Christians give more to an unknown waitress or to temporal investments than what is given to God.
A historical review of the Lord’s Supper presents a more serious doctrinal issue. The last “altar” that God acknowledged was the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ and the last “sacrifice” was the spiritual death of the Humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of celebrating the Lord’s Supper is to bring the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ into remembrance (1Cor.11: 24), not to reproduce it.
There are many more illustrations that can be cited, but time and space do not permit it. However, as it has been said, if we do not learn from history, we are destined to repeat it.
A historical research of many of the rituals and pageantry found in the Church will expose them as the Biblically unsubstantiated products of religion that they actually are.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.